I wasn't underestimating this draft at all. I called it ho-hum because, barring injury, the only projected starter is a 5th round place kicker. The others can be brought along just like you described. This is how consistent playoff teams draft and we certainly seem headed towards being consistent contenders.

Merci will start day one I think. Brooks Reed seems more like a situational guy.

Posey will phase out Walter as the season goes along. You need a playmaker on the outside.

I wasn't underestimating this draft at all. I called it ho-hum because, barring injury, the only projected starter is a 5th round place kicker. The others can be brought along just like you described. This is how consistent playoff teams draft and we certainly seem headed towards being consistent contenders.

Totally agree mate, was picking up on your point rather than disagreeing. Feels good to be in this position and I like what I'm hearing about the picks so far.

I think it leads to some talented players getting released after camp, which is always a good sign.

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They shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the gowing down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them.

Its funny how many people will come in to a thread called "Texans draft grade" just to post their "novel" idea that you can't grade a draft until 2-3 years after the players have been in the league. And then when someone tries to defend the grading as personal enjoyment, they get all defensive.

1) Why did you even click on this thread? What did you think was going to be in this thread?

2) Once you were in the thread, why waste your time posting? If theres one thing even less useful than grading a draft thats still going on, its posting a useless complaint about the process to an audience who doesn't care

Football is entertainment. Grading drafts is fun. Get over it.

That said, I give our draft a solid B.
First pick was A-
Position of need, good player, good value

Second pick (Posey and the Center) gets a C+
Position of need for WR, not for C unless he plays G. Not good value for WR

Third pick (Keshawn) gets a B+
Position of need for WR and as KR/PR Like this guy a lot

Fourth pick (Crick) gets a B
Depth need and injury history

Fifth pick (Kicker) gets a B
Position of need but a little early in terms of value

Its funny how many people will come in to a thread called "Texans draft grade" just to post their "novel" idea that you can't grade a draft until 2-3 years after the players have been in the league. And then when someone tries to defend the grading as personal enjoyment, they get all defensive.

1) Why did you even click on this thread? What did you think was going to be in this thread?

2) Once you were in the thread, why waste your time posting? If theres one thing even less useful than grading a draft thats still going on, its posting a useless complaint about the process to an audience who doesn't care

Football is entertainment. Grading drafts is fun. Get over it.

That said, I give our draft a solid B.
First pick was A-
Position of need, good player, good value

Second pick (Posey and the Center) gets a C+
Position of need for WR, not for C unless he plays G. Not good value for WR

Third pick (Keshawn) gets a B+
Position of need for WR and as KR/PR Like this guy a lot

Fourth pick (Crick) gets a B
Depth need and injury history

Fifth pick (Kicker) gets a B
Position of need but a little early in terms of value

Some people are not happy unless they are ****ting on others. It sucks, but that is how it is.

I think the "starter" label gets way over-blown. We absolutely need 3 OLBs on this team, and it really doesn't matter which ones are in on the first defensive possession or the second.

I am very happy with this draft. It is a lot easier going into a draft knowing that you already have a pretty decent football team. We needed quality depth and I think we have done that. Bring on the season.

I think the "starter" label gets way over-blown. We absolutely need 3 OLBs on this team, and it really doesn't matter which ones are in on the first defensive possession or the second.

I am very happy with this draft. It is a lot easier going into a draft knowing that you already have a pretty decent football team. We needed quality depth and I think we have done that. Bring on the season.

1) Why did you even click on this thread? What did you think was going to be in this thread?

2) Once you were in the thread, why waste your time posting? If theres one thing even less useful than grading a draft thats still going on, its posting a useless complaint about the process to an audience who doesn't care

1.) Because i wanted to read some thoughts and at the same time reply to the topic... The topic was draft grades, and i gave my opinion on grading drafts before the players involved provide a body of work to grade...

2.) Look at answer 1 for most of the answer to question 2. Obviously you cared or you wouldn't have made your reply...

I don't have a problem with people grading this draft, if they have fun doing it more power to them... And i do enjoy reading thoughts in such threads... But really, when the experts always come back with their "Regrading the (insert year here) Draft" articles mid-way through the season, every season, it should be noted that it's because they should have waited in the first place...

yep...why must everybody grade a draft as soon as it happens? thats just craziness.

Draft Grades, at this point, are just feelings. Nothing wrong with that.

The problem is thinking that a draft grade really reflects how good or bad a team performed during the draft. As long as you keep it in perspective, there's nothing wrong with it.

I feel good about this draft. They didn't draft some guys I expected but I've got no problems with what they drafted or who they drafted. I think we've got at least 2 guys that are going to be starters.

I think we're going to see some changes in our line. I don't think Caldwell ends up as a starter and I think Wade Smith might have lost his job, too.

I think our WR corps just got totally revamped with AJ the only one that keeps his job. I think we're also going to start to get some production from our UDFA WRs from last year.

There are "first impression" grades and there are "final" grades. Nothing wrong with "grading" a draft now as long as we realize these are based only on our expectations and not on how they actually turn out.

Started out kind of rocky for me, but I'm going to give the daft a grade of A overall.

Not going to lie, I'm not a Mercilus fan. I hated the pick at first, but I'm ok with it now. I would have liked someone with a little more explosion and awareness but Merci should be a good to decent player for a long time. He has ok measureables and he is a guy that grinds on every play.

DeVier Posey is a guy that I like. I need to see him play in a Texans uniform before I can say I really like him, but from what I've seen I like his game. Again, I don't see anything that strikes me as spectacular about his game, but I do think he is capable of being a good #2 receiver. Not an AJ replacement, but a good role player that will be dependable.

I think Brandon Brooks is going to take someones job. I had to do some research on him, but the guy is a freak. Big, strong and Foster is going to love him. He is going to bust holes open and LB's will not want to deal with him.

Ben Jones, I haven't seen a lot of clips on him, but in the ones I have seen I like the tenaciosness he plays with. I mocked him to us in one of my early mock drafts, but when we re-signed Meyers I took him off. Good pick up for depth and maybe a possible starter at some point.

I like Keshawn Martin a lot. I think he will see playing time as a returner and in the slot. We don't have a WR like him on the roster. Mahael is close in comparison but he doesn't have the top end speed that Martin has. Good hands, Good route runner. I like him.

JARED CRICK. My favorite pick. I think he's going to play a lot. I love his game and I think it's very similar to JJ Watt's. High motor, good pass rusher. Before his injury he was on pace to be Nebraska's all time sack leader. I think he's going to fit in wonderfully in our 3-4. I also think he makes possibly makes Antonio Smith expendable in the future.

Randy Bullock was a staple in my mock draft for a while and I refused to take him out. I was convinced we'd pick him. Good kicker. Needs to work on his range, but he is super consistent.

I don't see anyone saying you can't; but several who are saying that it might not be the wisest thing to do.

This is a message board, a discussion or debate. If you post something you best be ready to stand by it and defend it if needed.

So post your draft grade to your hearts content, just don't be shocked when somebody mentions that grading these guys before they play might be iffy.

It's happend everywhere this forum has exsisted, so you really shouldn't be surprised by now.

I think I have a pretty good reputation for defending myself and my posts/threads. I will be happy to debate anyone or discuss just about anything. Making fun of any thread or putting it down just because you don't like the topic is easily remedied by moving on. To agree or disagree on the grades given on a player is one thing to punk the thread is silly to me.

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I want to be able to recognize the difference between a "want" and a "need" and then I want to be satisfied with getting a need